Tung Lok Restaurant
On 21 October 2007 (Sunday), a friend of mine took me to Tung Lok Restaurant in Birmingham China Town.He is a frequent visitor to this restaurant, and he says he has been there more than 20 times. The people of the place recognised him immediately and we were warmly welcomed.
This is a very small restaurant, probably of about 30 covers. One dish with rice or noodles cost from £5 to £7, but there are also dishes without rice costing more. 1 whole steamed fish, for example, is around £10, and 1 whole roast duck is &poun;15.
First to arrive is Soup of the Day. 1 portion costs £2 and this is for two people. It is a soup made from bones with little meat on. In the soup are some creal, lotus nuts, and sliced root vegetable.
It was not particularly delicious, though comforting. I don't think I want to order it again.
This is Chow Mein with Mixed Seafood and Vegetable (£5.80). The noodles were pan-fried with oil. The seafood consisted of king prawns, squid, and white fish. Smelt of sesami oil.
This is similar to the King Prawn Chow Mein that I ate at Chung Ying Garden the other day. Comparing to it, the noodles of Tung Lok were cut short so that I did not have the sensation of eating noodles. But the seafood and vegetable on top were delicious, and comparing £8.50 I paid at Chung Ying Garden, it was good value for money.
I need vinegar to eat this kind of noodles, so I asked to bring it. Again, I was offered a very small dishful. I was offered a refill when I finished it but I really need more vinegar.
This is not on the menu, and recommended by our waitress, who I think is one of the owners (the other is her husband): winter melon with string mushrooms (enoki mushrooms), £7.80. Not so cheap, but considering both winter melon and string mushrooms are imported, pretty expensive veggie, it might be inavoidable.
Again I smelt sesami oil, when it was brought to our table. Then I did not want rice, but it would have gone well with a nice bowl of white rice.
The total bill came to a bit less than £18. It would have been £14 if we had not have soup, so it is reasonable. It is charming, home kitchen style restaurant.
Tung Lok Restaurant
Unit 1, China Court Building, Bath Passage, Ladywell Walk, Birmingham, B5 4SZ
Tel. 0121-6223086
Opening Hours: 12:00AM-11:00PM
